Jerusalem

Jerusalem was a great temple, which he built to glorify God.
He built it in keeping with the verses in Deuteronomy ch.12, in order to sanctify God's name.
G-d instructed him to build it.
King Solomon was a righteous man who understood the principle of building Temples. He knew the importance of the sacred ordinances that are only performed in such an edifice.

These holy sanctuaries wherein sacred ordinances, rites and ceremonies are performed which pertain to salvation and exaltation in the kingdom of God.

It is important to note that there is no "Jerusalem facing wall". The Wall that is holy for the Jews is the western-side retaining wall that supports the Temple Mount. This wall is called the "Western Wall" and its significance to Jews is discussed below.

Answer 1

Jerusalem, and the Western Wall within it, is the the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon. Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avos ch.5).

Jerusalem is called the holy city by the prophets (Isaiah 52:1). It was where Jews would go three times a year to celebrate the holiest festivals. Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Temple Mount and adjacent Western ("Wailing") Wall is the holiest site in Judaism.

It is hoped and prophesied (Ezekiel ch.40-44) that one day a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and that the Messiah will come to it.

Answer 2

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and Jerusalem has been its only holy site for 3000 years, ever since King Solomon built the original Jewish Temple there. The temple was destroyed by invading Babylonians and rebuilt at the same site (known as the Temple Mount) about 2500 years ago. It was then destroyed again when the Romans conquered Judea about 2000 yrs ago, killing a million Jews, expelling another million and enslaving the remaining million. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to the holy land, where so many of their people struggled for the freedom to practice Judaism. At the same time, Jews believe that all people, Muslims, Jews, Christians, and everyone else should be welcome there, regardless of faith.

Answer 3

Jerusalem is the eternal Jewish city, and a symbol of a future time of peace. Jerusalem is also the focal point of prayer of the Jews. When they pray, wherever they are on the surface of the earth, they face towards Jerusalem (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), with love and longing.

The sentiment is aptly expressed in Psalm 137:

"By the waters of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion....". It continues to say: "If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its wisdom."

For thousands of years we remembered our exile and prayed for its end. Now at least we can do so from "up close."

Jerusalem is of interest to many Christians because it is the place where some key events in Jesus' life occurred. The most important among these are the events leading up to and including the crucifixion such as the Betrayal at Gethsemane, the Pardoning of Barabbas, the Via Dolorosa, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. It is also a place that will have significance in the future as it a likely place for the Second Coming to begin. It has always been of significance to God and to the Jews and as such is important to Christians. As many people like to visit and see for themselves places where people important to them have lived, so is Jerusalem to Christians. It is interesting to see and learn about a city of which you read so much. It isn't the main event, though for Christians and there are no requirements to make a pilgrimage there.

It is the place where Christianity began at Pentecost and it is at Antioch where the term 'Christian' was first applied.
It is where Jesus was crucified.

Most religions of the world have not vied for control of Jerusalem, such as:

• Buddhism
• Hinduism
• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Shenism
• Ancestor Worship
  
• Shinto
• Sikhism
• Native American religions
• Native African Religions
• Wiccans
• Druids

• Baha'i
• Shabakism
• Mandaeanism and Sabianism
• Yazidism
• Yarsanism (Ahl-e-Haqq)
  

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Druze - As a constituent element of the Israeli Army, but not in its own right.
  
• Zoroastrianism - During the Sassanid Persian Empire as Byzantine territory, but not on account of its supposed holiness, which the Zoroastrians do not recognize.
  

Yes, there are 2 buses on a Saturday night via Egged bus line #444: One bus leaves Eilat at 16:30 p.m. and a second one departs at 19:30 p.m.

It is a 5-hour trip; the earlier bus is due to arrive at Jerusalem's Central Bus Station at 21.30 p.m.; the later bus is due to pull in at 00.30 a.m.